IBM Cloudscape
| Company type | Open-source software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software, Database management systems |
| Predecessor | IBM Cloudscape |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Nat Wyatt, Howard Torf |
| Headquarters | Oakland, California , United States |
| Products | Relational database management system |
| Owner | Apache Software Foundation |
| Website | db |
Apache Derby—previously known as IBM Cloudscape—is a relational database management system (RDBMS) created by the Apache Software Foundation. It serves as an embedded database tailored for Java applications and is designed to efficiently handle online transaction processing while maintaining a minimal footprint of just 3.5 MB.
Derby is distributed as open-source software under the Apache 2.0 license. Oracle formerly provided Derby binaries under the name Java DB, but this distribution ended with the release of JDK 9.
History
The origins of Apache Derby trace back to Cloudscape Inc, a start-up based in Oakland, California, established in 1996 by Nat Wyatt and Howard Torf with the goal of developing Java-based database technology. The first version of the engine, called JBMS, launched in 1997 and was subsequently renamed Cloudscape, receiving updates twice yearly.
In 1999, Cloudscape was acquired by Informix Software. Later, in 2001, IBM took over Informix’s database portfolio including Cloudscape and rebranded it as IBM Cloudscape, emphasizing its use as an embedded database within IBM’s Java platforms and middleware solutions.
IBM contributed the Cloudscape source code to the Apache Software Foundation in August 2004, initiating the Derby project under the Apache DB incubator. By July 2005, Derby achieved top-level project status at Apache. Prior to this graduation, Sun Microsystems became involved to integrate Derby into their product line; consequently, with Java 6’s launch in 2006, Sun included Derby as Java DB within the JDK.
Although IBM discontinued marketing and official support for Cloudscape in March 2007, it continued participating in Apache Derby’s development efforts.
Oracle still maintains a supported distribution of Apache Derby under the Java DB brand.
Derby embedded database engine
At its foundation, Derby offers a comprehensive relational embedded database engine that supports JDBC and SQL interfaces and implements IBM Db2-style SQL syntax.
Derby Network Server
The Derby Network Server extends the core engine by providing client-server capabilities over TCP/IP using the standard DRDA protocol, enabling connectivity for networked JDBC clients as well as ODBC/CLI and Perl interfaces.
Embedded Network Server
Derby can operate in a hybrid mode combining embedded and server functionalities, allowing it to accept TCP/IP connections from remote clients alongside local JVM-based applications.
Database utilities
- ij: A tool for running SQL scripts on any JDBC-compliant database.
- dblook: Extracts database schema definitions from a Derby instance.
- sysinfo: Displays information about versioning and class paths.
See also
- List of relational database management systems
- Comparison of relational database management systems
- H2
- HSQLDB
Bibliography
- Paul C. Zikopoulos, George Baklarz, Dan Scott (2005). Apache Derby—Off to the Races: Includes Details of IBM Cloudscape. IBM Press.
External links
- Internals of Derby: an open-source pure Java relational database engine deployable within embedded OSGi environments
- Oracle Java DB official site
- Explanation of why IBM open sourced Cloudscape as Derby, IBM developerWorks
- Performance benchmarks of Apache Derby in JPA
- Compliance matrix comparing SQL 2003 standards
- Guide to configuring and installing Derby Database